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Croque-Monsieur

French open face grilled cheese sandwich with bechamel sauce
Print Recipe
Course Lunch
Cuisine French
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 8 slices Country-style bread (pain de campagne) or toasted sandwich bread
  • 8 slices cooked Jambon de Paris or high quality ham
  • 2 cups grated Gruyere cheese
  • 1 tspn Herbes de Provence

Bechamel Sauce

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 tbsp whole grain mustard
  • 1/2 tspn Freshly grated nutmeg
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • First, make the Bechamel sauce. In a medium thick-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat till melted, add the flour and continue to cook while stirring until smooth, around a couple of minutes. Gradually add the milk, mixing well at each addition, and continue to cook and stir for around 4 minutes. The sauce should be thick and smooth. Remove from heat and add the mustard, nutmet. Taste and add seasoning as necessary.
  • Preheat oven to 425 F / 220 C.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay 4 slices of bread on top of the parchment paper, and spread half of the Bechamel sauce over 4 slices of bread, side up. Place the 4 slices of ham over the 4 bread slices and evenly sprinkle half of the grated Gruyere on top of the ham. Top with the remaining 4 slices of bread. Spread the other half of the Bechamel sauce on top, sprinkle with the other half of the Gruyere cheese, and sprinkle with herbes de Provence. Bake for around 12 to 15 minutes till the cheese is bubbly. Serve hot.
Keyword Croque-Monsieur, French Grilled Cheese sandwich, Grilled Cheese